and the us "will pay a heavy price for their aggression". there's a huge rise in uk measles infections, hitting a 30—year high, in the west midlands. annie nightingale, bbc radio 1. the station's first female presenter, annie nightingale, has died. she was 83. and the friends script up for auction. how much do you think it went for? and coming up on bbc news — two managers fighting for survival in the premier league. vincent kompany�*s burnley host rob edwards luton side later in a relegation scrap. good evening.

the strikes were in the dead of night, and came from the land and the sea. the targets — houthi rebel positions in yemen, hit by american and british missiles. it's in response to weeks of attacks by the iran—backed houthi movement on cargo ships in the red sea which have disrupted commercial shipping, threatening the global economy. the houthis say they're targeting western support for israel. it was a coalition of countries involved in last night's military operation to destroy houthi—controlled command centres, munitions depots, and air defence systems. some of the targets were in the yemeni capital sana'a. the houthis, a militia group controlling much of yemen, is now warning that britain and the us "will pay a heavy price for their aggression". in a moment, dharshini david will outline the economic reasoning behind last night's strikes, and chris mason will analyse rishi sunak�*s decision to join the attack. but first, with the very latest on what exactly happened overnight

and the possible wider ramifications for the region, here'sjeremy bowen. in sana'a, the yemeni capital, a huge rally against the air and in support of palestinians filled the city's broadest boulevard. it was organised, the houthis do not allow unauthorised protest, but without question, millions in yemen and across the arab world are appalled by israel's conduct in the gaza war and regard the american and british air strikes as and regard the american and british airstrikes as an and regard the american and british air strikes as an escalation on israel's behalf. during the night, the americans launched their attack from a carrier battle group in the red sea. like britain, they had warned the houthis this was coming if they did not stop hitting shipping. the air strikes were intended to show that western red lines will not turn pink under

pressure but if anything, the houthis will be even more determined to carry on. this you —— this houthi military spokesman said the americans and british were responsible for criminal aggression which would be answered with a tax on all hostile targets on land and sea. the raf released video of its jet taking off for yemen from the british base in cyprus but the british base in cyprus but the british are trying to distance aimed at opening the red seat from the war in gaza. it’s at opening the red seat from the war in gaza. v . . at opening the red seat from the war in gaza. �*, . ., , at opening the red seat from the war ingaza. . ,_ ., in gaza. it's clear this type of behaviour— in gaza. it's clear this type of behaviour cannot _ in gaza. it's clear this type of behaviour cannot be - in gaza. it's clear this type of behaviour cannot be met - in gaza. it's clear this type of- behaviour cannot be met without a response, we need to a strong signal that this breach of international law is wrong and people cannot act like this with impunity and that is why together with allies we have decided to take this action. essen decided to take this action. even more emphatically, _ decided to take this action. even more emphatically, an _ decided to take this action. even more emphatically, an american military spokesman told cbs news in the us that the strikes were nothing to do with gaza. it is the us that the strikes were nothing to do with gaza.— to do with gaza. it is important to differentiate _ to do with gaza. it is important to differentiate between _ to do with gaza. it is important to differentiate between what's - differentiate between what's happening between israel and hamas

was happening in the red sea, yet the houthi — was happening in the red sea, yet the houthi rebels, they are conducting instrument attacks against — conducting instrument attacks against international shipping, over 50 countries have been affected by this affecting the economic prosperity of multiple nations. but the prosperity of multiple nations. the houthis, prosperity of multiple nations. pm the houthis, whose command is captured a ship in the red sea in december, say to support palestinians in gaza and hit israeli as our —— allies iran provides the houthis were training and weapons and they said the attacks will go on until the fighting in gaza stops pulled up britain and the us oppose an immediate ceasefire in the war. the air strikes, this was the raf raid, are only partly about freedom of navigation in the red sea. at the reality is that they are also directly linked to events in gaza and represent an escalation in the crisis that is gripping the middle east. jeremy bowen, bbc news. more from jeremy in a moment, but first let's get the economic

case for last night's military strikes from darshini david, whose here. clive, thank you. from furniture to energy, the billions of pounds of goods arriving on our shores are key to our lives. but it's that trade that makes us vulnerable to shocks thousands of miles away, from covid to the war in ukraine. could the escalation in the red sea be the latest threat to prosperity? the red sea shipping route typically looks like this, one of the busiest, transporting 15% of traded goods, largely from east to west. but, as vessels faced attack, as this latest map of activity shows, many major shipping firms have diverted around the cape of good hope. it takes ten days longer, adding $1 million to the average container ship's fuel costs. and one shipping boss warns the impact could linger. having to re—route all of these cargo an hour south of the cape of good hope is going to create

significant disruptions to the global supply chain for the duration in which we had to do that and probably a few months more as we have to get back into normal. in europe, tesla has halted some production as components are held up, as has volvo. on the high street, next and ikea have warned of delays. but this is happening after the christmas rush — consumers will notice less disruption, and even if costs are passed on, the impact will be relatively small. yet a fifth of oil also travels through an area near where a tanker was seized. the price of crude rose to over $80 in the wake of the overnight assault, reflecting concerns about potential issues, but it remains below where it was last autumn. however, if the conflict escalates, there are worries about potential interruptions to shipments of liquid gas from qatar. but we are currently well stocked — most of our supply is from europe, and any impact on bills would not be

felt for several months. but the economy's already fragile, with growth figures suggesting that while activity picked up in november, the risk of recession remains. events in the red sea aren't hitting us yet. but if it is prolonged, and spreads, it could threaten to derail growth and declining inflation, just as we're trying to get back on our feet. 0k, thank you. dharshini david with the economics of all of this but what about the politics? rishi sunak has described the strikes as "necessary and proportionate," to protect global shipping. it's the first time he's launched any kind of military operation since becoming prime minister. chris is at westminster. and as such, this is a momentous day in his premiership?— in his premiership? yes, good evenin: , in his premiership? yes, good evening. it — in his premiership? yes, good evening, it certainly _ in his premiership? yes, good evening, it certainly is, - in his premiership? yes, good| evening, it certainly is, without question. because berry relatively rarely do prime ministers have to consider this kind of moment and when they do, they way it is very

heavily pulled back home here today there has been a debate about whether the prime minister was acting appropriately in taking the decision as quickly as he did without consulting parliament. sometimes governments do, sometimes they don't, prime ministers have the prerogative to act without doing so and rishi sunak passionately defended his decision, pointing to those cases in the past where prime ministers have acted just as he did. on, as you say, quite a day for any prime minister, committing to military action. the early hours of this morning, back at their base in cyprus, the british jets involved back at their base in cyprus, the britishjets involved in air strikes on yemen. british jets involved in air strikes on yemen-— british jets involved in air strikes on yemen. ~ .,~ on yemen. good evening, mr speaker, should parliament _ on yemen. good evening, mr speaker, should parliament be _ on yemen. good evening, mr speaker, should parliament be recalled? - on yemen. good evening, mr speaker, should parliament be recalled? last. should parliament be recalled? last niaht, the should parliament be recalled? last night, the decision already taken by the prime minister, the speaker of the house of commons was called in for a briefing. irefill

the house of commons was called in for a briefing-— for a briefing. will labour be suworting — for a briefing. will labour be suworting the _ for a briefing. will labour be supporting the government? for a briefing. will labour be i supporting the government? so for a briefing. will labour be - supporting the government? so to work senior— supporting the government? so to work senior labour _ supporting the government? so to work senior labour figures, - supporting the government? so to work senior labour figures, keir starmerjoint remotely put on a visit to greater manchester, the labour leader said the air strikes were justified labour leader said the air strikes werejustified because labour leader said the air strikes were justified because of the actions of the houthis. the? were justified because of the actions of the houthis. they are -auttin actions of the houthis. they are putting civilian _ actions of the houthis. they are putting civilian lives _ actions of the houthis. they are putting civilian lives at - actions of the houthis. they are putting civilian lives at risk and | putting civilian lives at risk and disrupting that traffic through the radzl disrupting that traffic through the radzi, traffic that is vital for the other can we —— through the red sea. we support the action the government has taken. of course it is for the government to make a statement about it but the principle is an important one. 20 it but the principle is an important one. ii , . , it but the principle is an important one. ii , . ., it but the principle is an important one. 11, ., ., ”i it but the principle is an important one. 11, ., ., ., , it but the principle is an important one. i, . ., ., , ., one. 20 years ago, tony blair held a vote in parliament _ one. 20 years ago, tony blair held a vote in parliament before _ one. 20 years ago, tony blair held a vote in parliament before the - one. 20 years ago, tony blair held a vote in parliament before the iraq i vote in parliament before the iraq war. , , ., , war. this is the time for this house, war. this is the time for this house. not _ war. this is the time for this house, notjust _ war. this is the time for this house, not just this - war. this is the time for this - house, notjust this government or house, not just this government or indeed _ house, not just this government or indeed this— house, not just this government or indeed this prime minister, but for this house to give a lead... he won the vote, this house to give a lead... he won the vote. and _ this house to give a lead... he won the vote, and technically _ the vote, and technically governments don't need to do this but the iraqi war was so controversial, ministers have come under pressure to do so ever since. a decade later, in 2013, david cameron wanted british air strikes on syria.

cameron wanted british air strikes on s ria. .,, cameron wanted british air strikes on syria-_ itut- cameron wanted british air strikes on syria._ but the i on syria. the nos habit. but the commons _ on syria. the nos habit. but the commons rejected _ on syria. the nos habit. but the commons rejected the - on syria. the nos habit. but the commons rejected the idea. - on syria. the nos habit. but the| commons rejected the idea. the commons re'ected the idea. the british commons rejected the idea. the british parliament, reflecting the views_ british parliament, reflecting the views of— british parliament, reflecting the views of the british people, does not want — views of the british people, does not want to see british military action — not want to see british military action i— not want to see british military action. i get that and the government will act accordingly. back— government will act accordingly. back to — government will act accordingly. back to today, the scottish national party condemned the houthis report that the prime minister should have consulted more widely beforehand. parliament should have been recalled, the evidence base is laid out, the legal basis laid out, and house of commons for mps to scrutinise and put the issue to be debated and of course for a decision to then be taken.— to then be taken. what's this? strawbridge! _ to then be taken. what's this? strawbridge! the _ to then be taken. what's this? strawbridge! the lib _ to then be taken. what's this? strawbridge! the lib dems - to then be taken. what's this? - strawbridge! the lib dems leader, visiting _ strawbridge! the lib dems leader, visiting a _ strawbridge! the lib dems leader, visiting a school in stopper, said he sympathised with the government decide _ he sympathised with the government decide to _ he sympathised with the government decide to act but... it is really important _ decide to act but... it is really important that parliament, whenever we use _ important that parliament, whenever we use our— important that parliament, whenever we use our military forces, has a say _ we use our military forces, has a say i'm — we use our military forces, has a say i'm not _ we use our military forces, has a say. i'm not saying we would not support — say. i'm not saying we would not support it — say. i'm not saying we would not support it but i think it's reasonable and the public would expect _ reasonable and the public would expect there to be a provision of

information from the government to make _ information from the government to make the _ information from the government to make the case. the information from the government to make the case-— make the case. the prime minister will be here — make the case. the prime minister will be here on _ make the case. the prime minister will be here on monday _ make the case. the prime minister will be here on monday to - make the case. the prime minister will be here on monday to face - will be here on monday to face questions about what has happened. and people i speak to in government emphasised what they see as the limited nature of the strikes last night and what they see as their necessity because of the effects on commercial shipping industry in the red sea. but there will be so many questions, comes the house of commons hearing on monday. what counts as success? what is the end point for all of this? and the big question that is always asked in instances like this, will the action make things better or worse? ok, chris, thank you, chris mason, our political editor. let's get a final word from jeremy. the americans at least are saying this is nothing to do with gaza, with the conflict between israel and hamas, but others beg to differ.

that is america's truth on this one. i think the evidence shows very clearly that this is directly linked to gaza and the houthis who are carrying out the attacks say that is why they are doing them and they say clearly as well that if there was a ceasefire, they would stop. they may not be telling the truth about that but that is what they are saying at the moment so that is one direct link. and the other thing is, it is not really for the americans or british to say whether or not this will be limited. now they have gone down the road using military action, what happens next? what if the houthis answer with a load of rockets that might hit a merchant ship or one of the naval vessels who are there? what will that mean? more air strikes? are there? what will that mean? more airstrikes? biggerairstrikes? air strikes? bigger air strikes? what if airstrikes? biggerairstrikes? what if after that one of the pro—iranian militias in syria or iraq takes some action, linking it to what has been happening in yemen, against the american forces who are in those countries? then the

americans, will they use more force there? quite likely. that's why i'm saying in my reporting that this represents an escalation of tensions in the region, i think perhaps from the point of view of london and washington, a necessary escalation and perhaps they felt they had to do this and they do not have a choice. but it does mean to say that they start a path down a potentially rocky and difficult road and for all the talk of let's hope the war does not spread, the war has spread. qm. not spread, the war has spread. 0k, jerem , not spread, the war has spread. 0k, jeremy. thank— not spread, the war has spread. ok, jeremy, thank you, jeremy bowen, our international editor. there's been a 30—fold increase in the number of people contracting measles across europe, with cases in the uk also on the rise. the west midlands is seeing its highest infection rates for 30 years due, it's believed, to a fall in the uptake of vaccinations. phil mackie has the story. at birmingham children's hospital, they haven't seen an outbreak like this for decades.

for the past month, more and more very sick children have been coming to the emergency department. in a typical winter, we would see no cases of measles at all. so far, in the last month or so, we've had over 50 confirmed, laboratory—confirmed cases of measles coming through the front doors. it's because it's so contagious. if you put a child with measles in a room with ten unvaccinated people, nine out of the ten of them will catch it. the problem's european wide. this week, the who said that there had been 30,000 cases up to the end of last october, whereas in the whole of 2022, they're had just been 941. during the last big outbreak here in the west midlands, in 2012, there had been 126 confirmed cases. since october, there have already been 133 confirmed and they are reviewing another 96. the measles virus leads to breathing difficulties, a fever and a rash all over the body. most people recover, but there can be serious complications. the current outbreak is spreading

among young children who haven't been vaccinated. some of it goes back to the now debunked claims between mmr and autism, which isn't there. but some of the communities still are holding on to those sort the current outbreak is spreading among young children of fake news around that. so it's a challenge to try and overturn some of those myths which have become more embedded within some communities. they're trying to get more people to have the jab, like at this school in coventry, where there had been an outbreak before christmas. there was even a hug for those whose main objection was the needle itself. the outbreak is spreading fastest among under—fives, although all of these children have had the first of two mmr doses. their parents are worried. we've got two children. it's a bit concerning. i didn't really know much about it until recently, and my daughter actually had some jabs two days ago. it's a worry for everybody who has vulnerable people in their families and frustration that, that there's such low vaccination rates where we live.

the numbers are going up rapidly and a huge effort�*s being made to persuade vulnerable groups to get protected. phil mackie, bbc news, birmingham. the time is 16 minutes past six. our top story this evening. britain and america bomb houthi rebel bases in yemen, to stop attacks on shipping, in the red sea. we look back at the life of the radio 1 legend that inspired generations of young women. coming up on bbc news — england's jack draper is through to the final of the adelaide international after beating sixth seed alexander bublik in straight sets. he'll play the czech jiri lehecka next. the uk is to send another £2.5 billion of military aid to ukraine, over the next year. the announcement coincides with a trip to kyiv, by rishi sunak.

james landale is travelling with the prime minister. the train to kyiv, snowy, secure, but even here there is no escaping what ukraine wants. rishi sunak came to offer just that, military and, yes, moral support too, for a country under fresh attack. prime minister, when you come here and you see the sheer scale of the devastation, how does it make you feel? i was here a year ago, talking to people who were impacted by what was happening, and doing the same thing again today is incredibly moving, reminds us why it is so important that we continue to support ukraine. but is the purpose of this military aid to help ukraine defeat russia orjust to survive the year? no, the purpose of this military aid is to make sure that ukraine can first and foremost to keep its people safe and regain its freedom and sovereignty. the prime minister saw the devastation of russia's latest strikes, meeting one woman who lost

family, seeing first—hand the impact of ukraine's weakening air defences, something he hopes £2.5 billion of military aid can address. we are one of ukraine's most significant supporters, particularly when it comes to providing military aid. i am pleased to be here today to announce an increase in the aid we are providing. we are not going anywhere, i am here with one clear message, the united kingdom stands with ukraine. rishi sunak has come here notjust to see the devastation for himself but also promise ukraine more support, to try and show a little bit of british leadership while america and europe hesitate. but the new money is only for one year and has been promised later than some mps wanted. but mr sunak�*s host was happy, notjust with the new money, but also the sheer fact of the prime minister's presence, the first world leader to visit this year. they signed a new agreement committing britain to support ukraine's security in the long term,

mr sunak spoke of a new hundred year partnership. but in a speech to ukrainian mps... i come from the world's oldest parliament to address the world's bravest. amid the solidarity there was a warning too. we meet today at a difficult moment in the struggle for ukraine's freedom. as always during conflict, there will be difficult moments. but we must prepare for this to be a long war. and that is the reality these two men face, mr zelensky needs allies and ammunition, mr sunak needs time out and money. mr sunak needs time and money. and neither has enough of either. james landale, bbc news, kyiv. making his first major speech as leader of the snp, in what is expected to be a general election year, humza yousaf, says 2024 marks a "huge opportunity for scotland". he says votes for labour are effectively votes against scottish independence, and he aims to "wipe the tories from scotland's electoral map".

we didn't vote for this tory government. austerity and cuts. we didn't vote for brexit. we didn't vote to leave the world's largest trading bloc. we didn't vote for the disastrous mini budget. constant attacks on social security. we didn't vote for the hostile environment on immigration. yet every single one of these disastrous decisions and more has weakened scotland's economy, damaged our public services, and led to the cost of living going through the roof. a woman and her former partner have been given life sentences, for the murder of her 18—month—old son. alfie philips died in a caravan in kent during lockdown in 2020, with more than 50 injuries, and traces of cocaine in his body. sian hedges, will spend at least 19 years injail, while jack benham, won't be considered for release for 23 years. here's duncan kennedy.

listen to me carefully. hours after killing her own son, this was when sian hedges was arrested. but it may harm your defence if you don't mention when questioned something... nearby, her boyfriend, jack benham, was also arrested. no, no, you can't arrest him. what about sian? the previous night, high on drugs, they'd both murdered alfie phillips, inflicting more than 50 injuries during what the judge today called "a frenzied attack." it must have taken some considerable time to inflict these injuries on alfie. the pain and fear that he must have suffered is almost unimaginable. alfie died in this squalid caravan in kent in november 2020. the court here heard that sian hedges and jack benham blamed each other for alfie's death. but the judge said they both lied and both had murdered him.

alfie's father says it's been a painful three years. after a lengthy trial, we finally got what we deserve for that little boy. 23 years and a 19... 19 years. we've got the justice in our hearts. the judge said sian hedges should have protected alfie, and said benham had probably inflicted most of the injuries. alfie's family say he was someone who lit up every room, but will always be the boy who would not grow up and live a full life. duncan kennedy, bbc news in maidstone. walkers wanting to enjoy the network of footpaths in the countryside are being obstructed in nearly 32,000 places across england and wales, according to a bbc investigation. it found councils had 4,000 more problems on public rights of way last year than the year before. campaigners say the figures show growing neglect of footpaths, but local authorities say a lack of funding limits what they can do.

a lawyer for the post office has apologised for delays in disclosing documents to the public inquiry over the treatment of the subpostmasters. the council to the inquiry said the post office had provided "inaccurate and misleading" information." the inquiry continues next week, with evidence from former employees of fujitsu ? the company behind the it system blamed for causing the scandal. israel has called on judges at the international court ofjustice to throw out a case brought by south africa, alleging it's committing genocide in gaza in its war against hamas. lawyers acting for israel argue that the case lacks any merit and that the truth is being distorted. south africa is also asking the court to order israel to stop its military offensive. here's paul adams. in khan younis this morning, the terrible, familiar story of this war unfolding yet again.

members of this family, killed by israeli air strikes, prepared for burial. israel's military campaign in gaza is now more than three months old. the killing, the destruction, have not stopped. far away at the hague, israel stands accused by south africa of genocide. today, a chance to defend itself. but is there a reason these people are unworthy of protection? and remind the world how this war started, with murder and the taking of hostages. the absurd upshot of south africa's argument is this — under the guise of the allegation against israel of genocide, this court is asked to call for an end to operations against the ongoing attacks of an organisation that pursues an actual genocidal agenda. the court was shown evidence which israel said proved hamas was using schools and hospitals as cover for its operations,

and that israel was doing what it could to ease the suffering. here you can see the idf�*s arabic twitter account, providing information for civilians to evacuate specific areas. yet the applicant, astonishingly, claims that these efforts are in themselves genocidal. israel says its military operation could last for many more months. it says the court has no legal basis on which to order a halt and that the whole case against israel is fundamentally flawed. there is no genocidal intent here. this is no genocide. back in khan younis, a narrow escape for a team of rescue workers. no one doubts the horror of the past three months, but is this just war or something worse? paul adams, bbc news.

the radio1 dj, annie nightingale, the station's first female presenter, who went on to become its longest—serving host, has died, at the age of 83. her family said she was a "pioneer, trailblazer and an inspiration to many." our culture editor, katie razzall, looks back on a life that inspired generations of young women. annie nightingale. bbc radio 1. radio 1 launched in 1967, with no women presenters. it's 2:00 in the morning, in a club in bristol... annie nightingale refused to accept the all—male remit, and three years later, blazed a trail on to the station and into the history books. i think they thought we'll have to have one. who do we know? so i became the token woman. the first female presenter on radio 1, she stayed for more than 50 years, her passion for music undiminished. it's fatboy slim live!

most people, as they grew up, they lose interest, which is fair enough. to me, i'm obsessed. she was 17 when she decided to become a journalist, she got a job on the brighton argus and got to interview the beatles. she became one of the first music journalists on fleet street, a pioneer in the largely all male world of rock. and as the first female presenter on the old grey whistle test, ushered in punk, new wave and a new era. the damned. siouxie and the banshees. the skids. some of those who followed in her footsteps have been paying tribute. radio 2 presenter zoe ball said she loved her music like no other and could outlast any of us at the party, and 6 music's lauren laverne thanked herfor opening the door and showing us all what to do when we got through it. cassius' i love you so...

a champion of the new, the undiscovered — even in her 80s, her taste in music didn't age. from day one, annie nightingale said, "i chose the records i wanted to play and stuck to it ever since." annie nightingale, who's died at the age of 83. a tv script from an episode of the sitcom friends, found in a rubbish bin, has been sold at auction for £22,000. it's from one of the sitcom's most awkward moments. janine machin takes up the story. in a small hertfordshire auction house, the lot that hundreds of bidders from around the world wanted to get their hands on. two original scripts from the series friends, the one with ross's wedding, filmed in london. i, ross. take thee emily. take thee rachel. the scripts were meant to be destroyed, but were found in a bin, and today went under the hammer. i'm starting at eight, nine, ten, 11...

bidding started in the thousands, way above the £800 estimate, and just kept climbing. the end value? congratulations, we are selling this at £22,000. congratulations. we knew we had something special and we knew the scripts were going to make good money, but we had no idea they would make so much. i asked the vendor, who was in the room watching, how she felt afterwards and she said she was absolutely shellshocked. the buyer, like most of the friends series, is in america, so this rare piece of tv history heads back home, having created a drama all of its own. janine machin, bbc news. time for a look at the weather. here's elizabeth rizzini. . this is the one where it all turns a lot colder, some very wintry scenes out there, just for a few spots but they are likely to become a lot more widespread as we head through next week. there is lots of things we don't currently know about what is going to happen. we think there could be disruptive snow on

there could be disruptive snow on the way for us but what we know is it going to be turning colder and there will be severe night—time frost with added wind chill. where is that colder air? it will sink southwards across northern scotland as we head through sunday, behind the weather front, opening the floodgates for that cold air to spill further southwards, a brisk chilly northerly wind blowing, and this evening there is a front, sinking southwards in northern scotland. not the really cold one, that rain will fizzle out as it bumps into an area of high pressure. there could be frost round but a lot of cloud here, the risk of after bit of cloud here, the risk of after bit of ice and some localised fog patches but tomorrow, we will see some wintry sunshine, i think across much of scotland, snow showers getting going across the far north, the higher ground, some rain showers for northern ireland, further south much of england and wales again, it is set to stay dry. variable amount

of cloud. temperatures ranging